Obama: Richard Sherman uses Muhammad Ali playbook

The president says Seattle Seahawks’ Richard Sherman is a lot like legendary boxer Muhammad Ali after the football player gained headlines for his recent post-game interview.

“My sense is he’s taking a page out of Muhammad Ali’s playbook which is, I think he’s said explicitly, this is a good way to get attention,” President Barack Obama told CNN’s Jake Tapper in an interview, which aired in parts Friday on “New Day,” with additional clips airing Thursday and Friday during “The Lead.”

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He praised the athlete, saying he is a “very smart guy” and said Sherman will likely get endorsement deals and increased sales of his jersey.

Sherman’s outburst has received nonstop media coverage since the Seahawks’ recent win over the San Francisco 49ers earned them the NFC championship and a spot in this year’s Super Bowl, which will be held Feb. 2 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. In an interview following the game with Fox’s Erin Andrews, Sherman called out 49ers receiver Michael Crabtree, after he shoved Sherman who approached him to shake hands.

“I’m the best cornerback in the game,” Sherman yelled. “When you try me with a sorry receiver like Crabtree, that’s the result you are going to get. Don’t you ever talk about me.”

Sherman later expressed regret, telling CNN’s Rachel Nichols it was “immature” and addressed the interview himself online.

“It was loud, it was in the moment,” Sherman wrote the day after the game on Sports Illustrated’s The Monday Morning Quarterback.

The president commended the Denver Broncos’s Peyton Manning, who he said may have had one of the best seasons ever for a quarterback.

He added Sunday’s Super Bowl is going to be a “great game” and said he thinks it will “come down to the last play.” He would not try to predict who will win.

“I’m not going to pick because I don’t want to offend any of the great cities participating.” the president said.

“I love the state of Washington, and I love the state of Colorado,” he added.